Rochester, Mn - 

by Haily Nisbit

Head Coach l Year's at School l Overall Record:

Josh Koenig, Starting 9th Season, 129-183 overall

Additional Coaching Staff:

Assistant Coaches - Bill Sohlman, Phil Talmage, Dave Bernatz 

(Kevin Alicea, Winter Haven, FL)

Top Returners:

Kevin Alicea, Winter Haven, FL, LHP/1B; Keanu Calamayan, Tucson, AZ, 2B-SS; Robert Ermel, Bethune, SK, Canada, Catcher; Jonathan Castellanos, Bayamon, PR, RHP; Brett Paul, Medford, WI, RHP; Jamie Wick, Grand Marais, MN, OF.

Key Freshmen:

Tristan Lawrence, Tucson, AZ, LHP; Luis Rodriguez, Yabucoa, PR, OF; Jared Kromminga, Tucson, AZ, OF; Brandon Holbert, Tucson, AZ, 3B-SS

Coach Koenig on Rainy River's Pitching in 2018:

"Our pitchers have been very dedicated to self improvement, developing as a staff, and starting the season in top physical condition."

(Keanu Calamayan, Tuscon, AZ)

Coach Koenig on Rainy River's 2018 Offense:

"Our team will have a lot of new bats in the lineup this season. We look forward to seeing if we can be a strong and balanced lineup from top to bottom."

Coach Koenig on Overall Expectations for 2018:

"With our players work ethic and the leadership of our sophomores, we have very high expectations for this year. We look forward to a great season!" 

About baseball in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference:

The Minnesota College Athletic Conference boasts a strong tradition in America's pastime; over fifty years of collegiate competition has prepared student-athletes in the MCAC to pursue careers at four year college programs as well as professional ranks.

Currently the MCAC Baseball squads compete in a three-division set-up.  Northern Division teams include Hibbing Community College, Itasca Community College, Mesabi Range College, Rainy River Community College and Vermilion Community College.  The Central Division is home to St. Cloud Technical & Community College, Central Lakes College,  Ridgewater College, M State Fergus Falls and  Northland Community & Technical College.   In the Southern Division, Anoka-Ramsey CC, Minnesota West CTC, Riverland Community College, Rochester Community & Technical College and Western (WI) Technical College compete for a divisional title.

Beginning with the 2018 spring season, MCAC Division Champions and Divisional runner-up teams will advance to the 2018 NJCAA Division III Regional Tournament.  Additionally, a seventh playoff slot will be allocated to the highest ranked MCAC team as designated by the 2018 Region XIII which did not earn a championship or runner-up finish in divisional play.

Baseball in the MCAC features athletes from over 20 states and five countries.  Our campus environments include the opportunity to attend college and compete in a variety of Minnesota State System colleges, from the urban hubs of the Twin Cities, Rochester, St. Cloud and La Crosse, Wisconsin to the picturesque college towns ranging from Thief River Falls to Ely, Worthington to Brainerd.  Learn more at: http://www.minnstate.edu/

More on Rainy River Community College:

Gopher Sport, based in Owatonna, is an industry leader in Physical Education, sports and fitness equipment.  Gopher Sport is dedicated to providing programs and departments with the products to improve fitness, develop skills, create fun and reach a high standard of learning and living. Gopher Sport has diligently served teachers, coaches and athletic directors around the world for over 65 years.